Alternative for cheap -looking bamboo rollup shade

Meant to ask "ANY suggestions"

How about a canvas painters tarp. cheap and can be strung on wire or anything. Can be painted, stenciled, or left natural. You can pull them aside or swagged back Or tie up like a blind.

A few lattice sheets would do it. Also, since you have the flower bed right in front of the patio, you could plant a vine that would give you even more privacy as it grows up the lattice. My last rental had a grape vine (complete with edible grapes) growing up lattice sheets that surrounded my patio. It was absolutely beautiful in all seasons but winter (but even then we still had the lattice and vines - just no leaves or grapes).

You could attach some coordinating fabric to a roller shade and install those. Basically you glue the fabric to the front (side that faces the inside of the house) of the shade. This way when you roll them down they look more like a pretty curtain but they cut out the sun better. Good luck!

Get a rectangular sail. They come in a lot of sizes and colors. They are made for outside. Their mesh material lets the wind thru. I use a large one behind my house. Instead of over head I ran it like a wall. I had to use a tree and the corner of my house. It would be easier to hang yours. Bought mine on Ebay.

Painter's tarp can be sprayed or painted with a water repellent. You can buy weights to keep them from blowing around.

Ask your landlord to go halves with you on a PERMANENT solution - an awning which is fixed in place. Trust me, other tenants have had and will have the same problem. Correcting this problem will make the property more rentable in the future.

Home Depot offers a huge variety of choices (metal, plexiglass, fabric) that will fit any style of house. http://www.homedepot.com/b/Doors-Windows-Awnings/N-5yc1vZasit

I also like the idea of a metal trellis covered in vines that loose their leaves in winter. Depending on your climate and the space available, you can use wisteria, grapes, hops, morning glories and many others.

http://www.houzz.com/over-door-pergola

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/503066220845999137/

I have some south facing windows and I took white curtain panels on a spring tension rod flat across the windows so they look like a flat shade. Over them I put sheer curtains. When I want full sunlight I can open both of them. When I want max shade I close both. White reflects the sun. The thicker the white curtain,the more sun will.be blocked. I can open the inside sheets leaving the white curtains flat if I want.

i live near a green house supply company- they have remnants from covering greenhouses including the shade houses you find at bog box parking lots. remnants are discounted. if you want- there are instructables on how to make a pvc pipe canopy or awning. the remnants have different shade blocking ratings, and a few choices for colors- green white and black. I put this on my east facing windows to keep the place cooler in the summer. the west side of the house has trees. the benefit of a free standing canopy- you can take it with you when you move.

p.s. you can also use a tarp to cover the canopy frame.